V. Glushko, 80; Soviet Space Project Leader

Valentin Glushko, a key and secretive figure in the development of many Soviet space ventures, has died at age 80, the Communist Party newspaper Pravda reported.

The official obituary printed by the newspaper Friday said Glushko died Tuesday after a serious illness.

Glushko was described as a close colleague of the late Sergei Korolyov, the founder of the Soviet space program. In the 1930s he helped develop liquid fuel engines, now in use on all Soviet rockets.

The obituary, which provided only sketchy details of his life, said he played a leading role in the development of several programs, including orbital space stations, the reusable space shuttle Buran, launched for the first time last November, and Energia, the world’s most powerful booster rocket.

Glushko was born in the Ukrainian city of Odessa, completed his studies in Leningrad and then worked in a series of institutes before taking over in 1974 the space working group founded by Korolyov.

The obituary said he constantly sought new solutions to problems and displayed “creative courage” and great organizational capabilities. He received a series of Soviet awards, including the Hero of Socialist Labor twice.